"Chapter 1: The Blood-Red Sun

December 21, 2012. This very day. Honestly, I can barely believe what’s happened. Maybe it's just a cosmic jest played on the world.

Early this morning, Jack and I made our way to the rooftop of our office building, cameras in hand. Before today, I always hoped to capture something spectacular. But now? I’d give anything for the images on my camera to remain unchanged. After all, this is the fabled end of the world.

I’m Chinese, currently in Los Angeles for a design project. Photography’s my side passion. At 176 cm tall, I feel a bit short next to Jack, who stands 185 cm. I’ve never understood why so many Americans tower over me.

Like me, Jack is a photography enthusiast, and we share one key trait: sharp, eagle-eyed vision. We’re colleagues and best friends. Our work has won numerous awards—photography actually brought us together back in China.

“Hey, Fan,” Jack grinned, his tone light. “D’you think anything’s really gonna happen today?” Jack’s Black, with features typical of his heritage—gleaming white teeth when he smiles, a powerfully built frame, strong chest muscles. “No idea. Hope the Lord’s got us covered,” I joked back.

Jack met my gaze, then pulled out the crucifix hanging from his neck and began praying. Wait—what’s that? I suddenly spotted a Buddha pendant right next to his cross. Yep. A Buddha. Ha! A Black guy praying to Buddha? I laughed inwardly.

“Jack, what’s with the Buddha pendant?” I asked, amused.

“If God doesn’t want me, I’ll head East. Where Buddha lives,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Well, Jack, Buddha’s realm is actually the Western Paradise. And it’s… not someplace we just go,” I quipped, earning a laugh from him. That little exchange eased the weight pressing on us.

Around us, about two dozen other photographers gathered. One was a reporter from L.A. TV—a beauty named Rose. Western women aren’t really my thing, but Jack? Totally smitten. He kept heading over to chat. With his build, he drew plenty of attention from enthusiastic American women.

December in L.A. was bitingly cold. Fog blanketed the city, but sixty stories up, we stood above it all. High above, thin, wispy clouds drifted. The winter sun hung gentle and mild, like a pale-yellow disc. Sunbathing in such weather felt blissful—many folks had brought folding chairs.

An older man stood behind us—an amateur astronomer, it seemed. He’d brought a telescope. Early this morning, Jack and I hauled it from the lobby to the elevator, then up to the roof. He was kind, nodding at us: “Young men, I figure we’ll be needing this.”

After lunch, I relaxed. The world still felt peaceful, serene. Jack kept chatting with Rose, clearly vibing with her.

At 1 p.m., I pulled out my iPhone 8—the new model with wireless internet, a smart assistant, a thousand features… and a price tag few could stomach. I video-called my parents back in China. Ultra-HD 4K clarity. China was on edge too—news reports blared nonstop about today.

Half an hour later, I hung up, hoping this wasn’t our last chat. I walked over to the old man, who’d been scribbling nonstop. Of our group, he was by far the busiest.

“Hey there, John. What’re you writing?” I asked.

“Evolution. Constant evolution,” Old John answered. “Where’re you from? China?”

“Yes. Proudly so,” I replied. China—now second only to the U.S. in global power and rising fast.

He studied me a long moment. “Do you want to transcend humanity?”

“What?” Confused, I stared. The question felt… bizarre.

“Ha! Just a joke, young man. Nothing serious, Fan.” He smiled, then resumed writing. After chatting briefly, I left, pulled out my phone, and started gaming—King of Zombies, a shooter even more thrilling on mobile.

As I played, Old John did something that would change my fate. He looked at me—a deep, weighted stare. Then, from his coat pocket, he drew a tiny white metal case. Inside lay a golden hexagonal prism. He dropped it into a cup of water.

The prism dissolved instantly, leaving the water clear. He walked over, holding it out. “Son, warm tea?”

Chilled and grateful, I accepted. “Thanks, Old John. This is… oddly sweet.”

“Yes. Excellent water,” he murmured. “Your destiny will be extraordinary, child.” With a profound smile and a muttered prayer, he walked away. His words slipped past my understanding. I resumed my game.

After drinking, warmth spread through my body. I stripped off my wool sweater, leaving just thermal underwear and my down jacket. Still too warm. Soon, I paused the game to chat with friends.

By 2 p.m., I sipped water and fiddled with my camera. The world remained calm. Some had already left the roof, but I stayed—I had nowhere else to be. Today, the whole world paused. Someone joked: “Taking End of the Day off? Just prepping for the aftermath.”

“Jack, did you bring the six-in-one lens?” I called out.

But Jack was screaming: “LOOK! THE SUN!”

Instinct kicked in. Everyone craned their necks skyward. I snapped up my camera, pointing it where Jack indicated.

What I saw next stunned me—so much, I forgot to record. Bare-eyed, I stared at the sun, now a billion light-years deep in rage. Blood-red. A deep, brutal crimson. Like a blood-filled orb pierced through its core, spilling outwards, staining the pale sun redder and redder… growing. Swelling. Closer. As if rushing toward us.

“God! It’s flying AT us!” shrieked Rose.

“No. It’s not approaching. It’s growing,” Old John’s calm voice cut through the panic. “Expanding.”

“Expanding? What’s that mean?” someone cried.

Old John snatched a manuscript off his table. Slowly, deliberately, he walked to me and thrust it into my hands. “Keep this safe. You’re capable. Now GO. Get to China.”

At that moment, another man approached—Matt, someone I knew."